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Just recently Kyiv welcomed Wine & Spirits Ukraine 2025, a landmark event in Ukraine’s wine and spirits industry. Over three bustling days, Ukrainian and international professionals came together on a single platform, sharing knowledge, discoveries, and connections.
The expo kicked off with the Wine & Spirits Awards tasting competition, featuring nearly 200 entries — including wines, spirits, vermouths, and ciders from Ukrainian producers. Blind-tasted by a professional jury and scored on a 100-point scale, the competing wines and spirits have demonstrated striking results: a total of 173 awards were handed out. In wines: 1 platinum, 47 gold, 38 silver, and 7 bronze medals. In ciders: 2 golds and 1 silver. Spirits earned 9 platinum, 44 gold, 15 silver, and 9 bronze awards — a truly abundant harvest.
Dr. Matthew Horkey, renowned U.S. wine critic and popular YouTube host, attended as part of the international judging panel. “The Wine & Spirits Awards were a real pleasure,” he said. “I discovered so much new, and the quality of many wines was impressive, especially some sparkling wines. Interestingly, I even awarded a gold medal to a wine made from grapes that are only 75% Vitis Vinifera genetically. This variety, called Zagrej, produced an outstanding oak-aged wine.”
Three days, 200 samples, 173 awards, and countless new discoveries — Wine & Spirits Ukraine 2025 proved once again that the country’s wine scene is not only growing but also connecting confidently with the world.
Irina D’yachenkova, co-founder of Drinks+ Media Group, a long-time media partner of the event, sees participation in the Ukraine Wine & Spirits Awards as a fantastic opportunity for Ukrainian winemakers to showcase new releases and assess how their wines are positioned not only in the domestic market but also internationally.
“To date, this is the only international tasting competition in Ukraine,” she explains. “For many local producers, it’s an inspiration to later participate in major international contests such as the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, Decanter, or MUNDUS VINI. Having wines judged by renowned experts like Matthew Horkey, Davide Bortone, Ricardo Núñez, and other specialists invited by the organizers allows Ukrainian wines to be evaluated by the highest international standards. Moreover, each year, the Ukraine Wine & Spirits Awards jury increasingly includes Ukrainian experts with experience judging prestigious international competitions.”
Irina, who has over 20 years of experience as a judge at renowned international competitions, praised both the organization of the Wine & Spirits Awards and the quality of the wines presented. “The organization was top-notch — from the location and setup to the convenience of the tasting process and the composition of the tasting panels. Our team worked in a friendly, professional atmosphere, expertly guided by the panel chair, Oleh Kravchenko.”
According to Irina, the overall quality of the wines judged by her team was exceptionally high. “It seems we awarded the most gold medals both to white and red wines in all categories: classic, skin-contact, special types, and vermouths,” she comments. “What impressed me most was the quality of the special-type wine ‘OLEGRO’ 2024 from the Tairov National Institute of Vine and Wine (a dry white sherry-style wine), and two outstanding vermouths — Vermouth Rosato Reserva 2023 and Vermouth Rosso Bitter Reserva from TM ‘Enthusiast’, Dr. Gromoff. My highest gold scores also went to Furmint Wild! 2024 (Chateau Chizay), Rkatsiteli Amber 2023 (Narovylo Winery), Traminer Orange ‘Forgotten Tradition’ 2024 (TM KRITSKI), Cabernet Pilot’s Wine 2024, Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (Rodynna Wynorobnia Zelenytsi), Lytse Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 (Father’s Wine), Malbec 2023 (Kulinichenko Winery), and Saperavi 2022 (Kubal). Heartfelt congratulations to all participants, as they received the most valuable reward a competition can give — an unbiased expert evaluation of the product they have created.”
This year, Wine & Spirits Ukraine brought together over 60 participants — producers and importers, new brands alongside established companies, showcasing their collections of wines, craft beverages, and specialty products for HoReCa and retail. Thousands of glasses of wine and spirits were poured, hundreds of new contacts and partnerships were formed, and countless valuable insights and tasting experiences were shared. Above all, the exhibition fostered an inspiring atmosphere that drives the industry forward.
Kateryna Yushchenko, DipWSET, founder of the Ukrainian Wine & Spirit School and the Capstone California educator, shared her impressions: “This year, Wine & Spirits Ukraine once again became the main meeting point for the entire wine community in the country — producers, importers, experts, sommeliers, and media alike. It’s more than just an exhibition; it’s a true festival of energy, knowledge, and inspiration, showcasing how confidently Ukrainian wine continues to develop despite all challenges. Wine & Spirits Ukraine is a platform where the industry speaks with one voice, seeking new ideas, partnerships, and meaning. Here, the modern face of Ukrainian wine is taking shape — from young winemakers to seasoned experts, from local stories to global initiatives.”
Hlib Koshelev, Head Sommelier at Edem Resort Kyiv, brand ambassador for Vitis Group, and founder of the Vitis Wine School, shared his impressions of Wine & Spirits Ukraine 2025: “I was genuinely impressed by the new location, which allowed the event format to evolve slightly — and it suited it perfectly. The atmosphere was lively, dynamic, and without any unnecessary pomp. Industry representatives, buyers, sommeliers, and wine lovers tasted, networked, and discovered new styles and products. Many of the participating brands were new to me, especially international ones — which means one thing: Ukraine is catching the attention of exporters seeking new partners and opportunities here.”
Hlib also highlighted the presence of international experts both at the exhibition and on the Wine & Spirits Awards jury as a strong signal: “Matthew Horkey’s personal visit sent a clear message to me: Ukrainian wine is now in the global spotlight. You could feel it in the conversations, the reactions, and the way people approached the tastings. I see real progress: new grape varieties, experiments — for example, an oak-aged Semillon from Kyiv region by Hryhoriy Kulinichenko. And of course, our strongest asset — powerful reds. As for spirits, I’m thrilled! The whisky category was particularly strong: modern techniques, barrel aging in sherry, muscat, Banyuls, and Madeira casks… Ukrainian producer Yanolinkt once again proved that our whisky can compete on its own, rather than copy others.”
Hlib Koshelev concluded: “Despite the war, shelling, power outages, logistics challenges, risks, and fatigue, Ukraine is not just surviving — it continues to create. Winemakers haven’t given up. The Ukrainian wine industry is alive and developing, and the world is taking notice. And as long as we have people making wine, pouring it into glasses, and refusing to give up — we win not only on the front lines but also in culture, taste, and identity.”
During the expo, the Wine & Spirits Academy hosted 21 educational sessions — masterclasses, lectures, and tastings for industry professionals. The topics covered were broad and diverse: wine journeys through California and Italy, the interplay of biodynamics and innovation from Château Couronneau in France, classic traditions in modern production from Kinsale Irish Whiskey and Cognac Deau, and discussions on moderate consumption and the global No/Low trend. On a practical level, attendees learned about the influence of terroir on the organoleptic features of wine, fermentation techniques, basic food-pairing principles, sustainable and technological packaging solutions, as well as how to create impeccable service in venues and help craft winemakers get their wines onto restaurant lists.
Kateryna Yushchenko, speaker at Wine & Spirits Academy, commented: “My masterclasses were part of the professional program — we explored the history, terroir, and contemporary philosophy of Californian wine through the Capstone California program, and also discussed sustainability in winemaking: from certifications to practical case studies and the role of social responsibility. The sessions were highly interactive, with participants actively asking questions and comparing the Californian experience with European and Ukrainian contexts. The energy and engagement in the room were palpable. Wine & Spirits Ukraine demonstrates that the Ukrainian wine industry is not merely surviving; it is shaping its own professional discourse. Participants discuss marketing, sustainability, export, technology, and tourism — a whole new level of industry awareness. It’s gratifying to see education and professional development emerge as core priorities. Masterclasses, training sessions, and meetings with producers all create the synergy that Ukrainian wine has long needed.”
A standout masterclass was hosted by Victoria Palinkash and Olga Pinevych-Todoriuk, co-founders of the wine consultancy agency VH Selection. They presented exclusive wines from remarkable family wineries in Austria, France, Hungary, and Portugal. VH Selection made its debut at Wine & Spirits Ukraine 2025, with the mission of introducing the Ukrainian market to the hidden gems of European winemaking. Victoria and Olga, both long-time colleagues from Drinks+, continue to bring fresh insights to the industry, and we look forward to their upcoming wine discoveries.
The highlight of the educational program was the first vertical tasting of wines from Ukraine’s flagship grape, Odesa Black, organized by the international media group Drinks+ with support from Wines of Ukraine. “Evolution of Odesa Black” was a journey through years, styles, and regions, showcasing the complexity, elegance, and potential of Ukraine’s flagship red variety. The tasting drew a full house — every seat in the lecture hall was taken, and some guests even participated standing. The event was moderated by Nataliya Burlachenko, international ambassador for Odesa Black and Ukrainian wines, Drinks+ columnist, and CEO of Big Wines. The tasting featured releases from Shevchenko Winery, Narovylo Winery, Big Wines, Leleka Wines, Winedia, GIGI Winery, and Villa Tinta, offering a professional showcase that highlighted both the development and diversity of Odesa Black wines and the characteristics they acquire through years of ageing. The evolution continues!
Victoria Agromakova, organizer of Wine & Spirits Ukraine, is already planning the next event in spring 2026 and reflects:
“The number of participants at Wine & Spirits Ukraine continues to grow. What is most valuable is that, despite the on-going russian aggression, international producers and buyers recognize Ukraine as a promising market and want to be present here. This confirms that our event is a significant platform for the industry development.
By spring 2026, Wine & Spirits Ukraine will reach a new level of international reach and business opportunities. I promise — it will be large-scale, meaningful, and highly productive.”
The story is best concluded with the words of the French guests, Côme and Grégoire Piat, representing Château Couronneau and Château de Tiregand at Wine & Spirits Ukraine: “We came to Ukraine for a wine event — and found something far greater: courage, hope, and open hearts. Thank you for welcoming us with such warmth, even in the most difficult times. The exchange of feelings always begins with a glass of wine — and continues with smiles and unforgettable moments.”
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